Discover Calgary

Explore the beautiful gateway to the Canadian Rockies

Calgary: The Blue Sky City of Canada

Known as the Blue Sky City, Calgary is a dynamic mix of forward-thinking energy and rugged natural beauty. It’s a place where you can seal a business deal in a glass skyscraper in the morning and then be hiking a glacial trail by sunset. As Canada’s sunniest major city, it offers a vibrant "Western Cosmopolitan" identity. Fly to Calgary and discover the best attractions in the city. From world-class Alberta beef to the legendary Stampede, you’ll see exactly what this famous destination has for you.

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Calgary Canadian rockies
Skyline of downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Calgary is best for:

Adventure seekers, family and solo explorers, culture and music lovers, and cowboys-at-heart 

Highlights of Calgary

Located in the province of Alberta in Western Canada, Calgary offers iconic experiences through its unique heritage, nature attractions, and modern pulse. Here are the best places to visit in Calgary, ideal whether you're an adventure seeker or a culture lover.

Calgary has a lot of great places to see beautiful nature scenes, from parks to mountain peaks. Some of the top natural attractions in and around Calgary are:

Bicycle trail running through small trees winds its way up grassy slope
Banff National Park, featuring Castle Mountain and Bow River
Landscape at the Drummheller badlands in Alberta, Canada

Explore famous landmarks, bold buildings, and Olympic sites in Calgary. You’ll see the city's unique history and culture when you visit these top attractions.

Woman sends text on smart phone, city center
Rear view of three chief's head dresses of eagle feathers
Woman skis groomed runs at ski resort

Discover the best food in Calgary and explore its vibrant nightlife scene. You’ll find great places to eat, drink, and socialise across the city.

Iconic Stephen Avenue in downtown Calgary, Canada
Ginger Fried Beef with Noodles and Green Onions
A warm Summer evening with the Moon rising over the Beltline, in Calgary Alberta

Fun fact

Known as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth," the Calgary Stampede is the world’s largest rodeo. Every July, you’ll see bull riding, chuckwagon races, and carnival games.

Plan your trip to Calgary

If you want to know how to spend one week in Calgary, map out your itinerary so you don’t miss out on the top highlights in the city. Planning out your trip accordingly allows you to visit all the must-see spots.

Day 1

Fly with Etihad and arrive in Calgary early in the morning. Since check-in is in the afternoon, you can drop off your luggage at the hotel and use this time to wander through the streets and soak up the city's vibrant energy. Grab an original Caesar cocktail or a cheesy bun at Glamorgan Bakery while you explore the neighbourhood.

Downtown core with the Calgary tower at twilight

Day 2

Today is all about architecture. Start at the Calgary Central Library to see its stunning wooden design, then head to the Bow Building to find the famous "Big Head" sculpture. End the day at Stephen Avenue Walk to explore the vibrant shops and Calgary's big social scene.

Sunrise Aerial Panorama of Calgary Skyline and Bow River

Day 3

Take a day trip to the Canadian Rockies to see some of the most famous nature scenes in the world. Head to Banff National Park, where you can see turquoise lakes, raft down the Bow River, or hike along the scenic trails.

Hiking to the top , moraine lake , banff national park in canadian rockies, Alberta , Canada

Day 4

Discover the nature spots right in the city today. Hike Nose Hill Park for the best views, then spot wildlife at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. End your day with dinner at Major Tom and grab a drink in the Beltline.

High angle view of sandpiper flying in lake

Day 5

A day of culture awaits. Explore the 1988 Winter Games site at WinSport in Canada Olympic Park, then discover Calgary's rodeo history at the Sam Centre and Heritage Park. If you’re visiting in July, spend the day watching the Calgary Stampede. End the day by learning more about Indigenous tales at The Confluence. 

Snowboarder woman enjoying sunny day on mountain

Day 6

Discover the prehistoric landscapes of the Badlands on a day trip to Drumheller. See the famous "Hoodoos" and learn about the dinosaur-rich history of the region. This unique landscape offers a completely different view of Alberta.

Mountain

Day 7

Prepare to leave one of Canada’s most vibrant cities. Grab a final snack and head to the airport for your flight home. Whether you’re flying with us or moving on to see more of the country, take the best memories of Calgary with you.

Calgary skyline with woman on bench

Important travel information

Get ready for your trip to Calgary by checking the essentials before you fly. Here are the key details you'll need, from the best time to visit and entry rules to helpful local tips. Having these facts ready makes your journey simple from the moment you land.

Calgary experiences four distinct seasons. If you love warm days, summer from June to August is the best time to visit the city. Winter usually lasts from December to February and brings cold weather with plenty of snow. For pleasant temperatures, visit in spring from March to May or autumn between September and November.

Calgary International Airport, bearing the IATA airport code YYC, is the main gateway to Alberta and Western Canada. Located 17 kilometres northeast of downtown Calgary, it’s the busiest airport in the province. You’ll find a wide variety of shops, dining options, and award-winning lounges within the terminal. Accessible facilities and express security lines make your journey through the airport simple. From November 2026, we’ll operate the first-ever non-stop flights between the Middle East and Calgary, with four weekly services.

Look into the entry rules for Canada before you book your flights to Calgary. If you need a visa to enter, apply as early as possible. Getting these details sorted early gets your travel plans on track.

 

  • Tourist visa validity: You can usually get a visa valid for up to 10 years, or in the case of eTAs, until your passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. Each visit allows you to stay in Canada for up to six months.

  • General visa requirements: The general documents needed for a Canadian tourist visa include a valid passport, completed visa application, flight reservations, hotel bookings, bank statements, and copies of previous passports and visas (if any), among others. 

  • Currency: The Canadian Dollar (CAD) is the official currency in Canada. You can pay with your card almost everywhere in Calgary, or easily withdraw and exchange cash at ATMs and exchange centres across the city. 
  • Language: English is the main language you'll hear and use throughout Calgary. While Canada officially uses both English and French, over 90% of people in the city speak English. You’ll find it easy to get around and chat with locals.

In Calgary, you’ve got many ways to travel, so it’s simple for you to go anywhere. Even without a car, you can go around the city through the light rail, the indoor skywalks, or bicycles. These transport choices make it easy to see every part of the city.

 

  • The CTrain: Travel across the city on the CTrain light rail. It runs from 4 a.m. until 1 a.m. daily, so you’ve always got a way to go to restaurants, shops, and other spots. 
  • Buses: Calgary has over 100 bus routes that go every 15 to 30 minutes to hotels, landmarks, and areas where the train doesn't travel. 
  • The +15 Skywalk: The +15 Skywalk is a great way to explore if you’re visiting during the winter. This indoor path sits above the street in downtown Calgary and connects over 100 offices, shopping centres, and buildings. 
  • Bikes and e-scooters: Calgary has the largest path system and bikeway in North America, with over 850km. If you're planning to cycle around the city, you can hire a bicycle from a local shop or get it through apps. Just remember that you can’t ride on the pavement. 
  • Taxis and ride-shares: Cabs are the best way to go if you're out late or travelling with children. Hail a local taxi or book through riding apps to easily reach any other part of the city. 
  • Driving: Hire a car or an RV to explore the city, travel to the mountains, or go to Banff. If you want to skip the heavy traffic, don't drive between 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. or 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Fly to Calgary with Etihad

Fly with Etihad to Calgary for a journey that's as vibrant as the destination itself. Starting in November 2026, we'll fly you nonstop to the Blue Sky City on board our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Our flights land early in the morning, which gives you more time to explore Canada’s sunniest major city.

 

Experience a relaxing journey to Calgary with our award-winning service. From the moment you step on board, we’ll take care of you with warm hospitality that made us recognised across the globe. We are the world’s safest full-service airline for 2026, so you can fly confidently and comfortably from takeoff to landing.

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Beautiful Moraine Lake at Banff National Park. Alberta, Canada
B-787
Frequently asked questions

We'll fly nonstop to Calgary four times a week starting in November 2026, making us the first airline to connect the city directly with the Middle East.

You can reach Banff and the Canadian Rockies in about 90 minutes from Calgary. It's a day trip where you can see turquoise lakes and hike mountain trails.

Calgary is a great choice for solo travel as it's safe, friendly, and very simple to navigate. There are various ways to get around easily on your own, as well as tons of social hubs to soak up the local energy and meet new people.